Bike Counting
Today I did a bit of volunteering for Transit for Livable Communities. I thought it was a good idea for a lot of reasons:
1. Volunteering is always a good thing to do.
2. I'm always up for working towards better city transit (a big part of which is biking)
3. They were looking for people to count cyclists so that, to make a complicated issue simple, they'll have the evidence to support more cyclist-oriented development planning.
4. It was outside my normal work hours, so I wouldn't even have to skip out on my job. (FLAWED THINKING).
Outside my work hours meant that it was from 7am-9am, which meant that I had to be at my designated intersection (across town from my house) before 7am, ready to go. So I left my house on my bike just a little after 6am. That's some kind of record for me I think. Hard as it was to get out of bed, out the door, and onto my bike at that hour, it sure was beautiful riding at that time!
The bike counting part was actually really interesting. I had to look at whether people had helmets, were men or women, used the regular traffic lanes or used crosswalks, ran lights, etc. It was pretty interesting to check out the different rides people had as they went by, and the clothes they were using in the 40ish degree weather. But the best part had to be the guy that came up to the West River Road and Lake St. interection on roller skis and almost biffed it because he couldn't stop in time for the red light. What's the DEAL with roller skis? They seem like death waiting to happen. Can anyone explain to me why they're a good idea?
Oh yeah, I stopped by the CX clinic after work for a little bit. Apparently, I'm doing everything a little bit wrong, mostly my "superman" remount. Oh well. Racing this weekend!
1. Volunteering is always a good thing to do.
2. I'm always up for working towards better city transit (a big part of which is biking)
3. They were looking for people to count cyclists so that, to make a complicated issue simple, they'll have the evidence to support more cyclist-oriented development planning.
4. It was outside my normal work hours, so I wouldn't even have to skip out on my job. (FLAWED THINKING).
Outside my work hours meant that it was from 7am-9am, which meant that I had to be at my designated intersection (across town from my house) before 7am, ready to go. So I left my house on my bike just a little after 6am. That's some kind of record for me I think. Hard as it was to get out of bed, out the door, and onto my bike at that hour, it sure was beautiful riding at that time!
The bike counting part was actually really interesting. I had to look at whether people had helmets, were men or women, used the regular traffic lanes or used crosswalks, ran lights, etc. It was pretty interesting to check out the different rides people had as they went by, and the clothes they were using in the 40ish degree weather. But the best part had to be the guy that came up to the West River Road and Lake St. interection on roller skis and almost biffed it because he couldn't stop in time for the red light. What's the DEAL with roller skis? They seem like death waiting to happen. Can anyone explain to me why they're a good idea?
Oh yeah, I stopped by the CX clinic after work for a little bit. Apparently, I'm doing everything a little bit wrong, mostly my "superman" remount. Oh well. Racing this weekend!
posted by karla at 11:22 PM
11 Comments:
I wish I could do a superman remount - girls can get away with it and it's so much faster! I'm so afraid of squashing the family jewels that I slow to a crawl when remounting in the name of avoiding the stutter-step.
KJK,
didn't see you there but I was too busy stutter-stepping. BTW, after the last 2 months of nothing but track racing, I seem to be unable to turn right...
Steven - yeah, I'm pretty attached to the SM remount. I think I'll keep doing it, even if it's not "correct." Especially since I don't have to worry about bodily harm, and it provides a little spice for the spectators.
Skibby - it sounds like you might have the same concern that Steven has. And you're also not an ambi-turner. Strats mentioned to me the other day the idea of riding the other direction on the track and it made me feel nautious just thinking about it. Funny : )
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Wondering what the count was . . .
I am glad roller skis exist. Nothing cracks me up like the sight of a shirtless roller skier wearing a heartrate monitor in the middle of summer.
I would feel bad about this, but I am sure they get equal amusement from the sight of a cyclist riding through a foot of snow in the middle of winter.
What's the deal with male runners wearing those job bra t-shirts? I mean, if you don't want to wear a shirt don't wear one, and if you do want to wear a shirt, than do. I don't get it.
Good luck at your cx race this week-end. I will be doing the cx word puzzle.
Hi Karla,
Rollerskis are not a viable means of transportation. They are for training and training only. Anyone who tells you otherwise clearly hasn't spent enough time on them. Using them in an urban environment makes no sense whatsoever.
All told, I've probably spent over 500 hours of my life on rollerskis, so I feel qualified to comment. Plus I do 90% of my traveling by bicycle (just to and from work is 11 miles, all urban), so I feel I have experience to comment on sustainable transportation as well.
Eclectchick - it was 121 cyclists, with the highest number from 7:30 to 8:00. It would be interesting to do the count sometime in the middle of the summer in 80 degree weather. (uh, of course, not that cold weather ever makes me want to drive instead of bike....)
Gilby, agreed. Rollerskis = amusement. I'll see you out on bikes when there's a foot of snow!
Jim, job bra t-shirts?
COSMO! Nice to hear from you. Your expertise is appreciated : )
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Cool!
Next time you do this, give me a ring and I'll bring coffee and count with ya!
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